2012:327 - Kilbelin, Kildare

Excavation of archaeological remains was required at a greenfield site on the edge of Newbridge town prior to the extension of the cemetery there. Archaeological activity was identified in May of 2012 when the site was tested (see below No. 328). It was initially identified as possible Bronze Age settlement activity. The site occupies a slight east-facing slope, which overlooks the River Liffey c. 220m to the east. Today the site is bordered to the north by the cemetery, to the east by the R416, to the south by residential housing and to the west by rough ground that was originally to be developed as part of a housing estate. Excavation took place over the course of four weeks in October 2012. An area measuring 85m east-north-east/west-south-west by 50m was stripped of topsoil in order to facilitate the excavation.
The majority of the archaeological remains occupied the higher ground. Two areas containing the remains of habitation in the form of structures were identified, as well as the edge of a field system. It is possible that this activity is associated with a ringfort that may be located to the south of the site. However, the presence of housing in this area means it is likely that any such remains have been removed.
Area A contained the northernmost structural remains. Numerous pits, post- and stake-holes were identified in this area, in a circular arrangement. A curving slot trench was also identified, which may have contained a palisade fence, as well as an additional large slot trench, which contained numerous stake-holes and evidence of in situ burning. A possible drip gully was found adjacent to the slot trench. A large amount of animal bone was recovered from the features in Area A. A polished bone pin was retrieved from one of the post-holes. Some probable cremated human bone was identified within a spread of material to the west of the structure in Area A. The spread consisted of re-deposited clay and it is not clear why this deposit was made. The remains will be subject to analysis from an osteo-archaeologist.
Two shallow pits were excavated to the east of the structure in Area A. One pit contained a number of sherds of Souterrain ware and a probable whetstone. A full vessel of Souterrain ware was identified in an additional pit. This was very poorly made and due to not being fired properly has partially returned to a mud state. A large figure-of-eight kiln was also excavated within this area.
Several irregular pits, some of which displayed evidence for in situ burning, were identified between Area A and the linear ditch that crossed the site. A large amount of animal bone was retrieved from these pits, but their exact purpose was unclear.
Area B was characterised by an additional circular structure, which was formed by numerous pits and a large amount of post- and stake-holes. These features were located to the immediate south and east of a large ditch, which crossed the site in east-north-east/west-south-west direction, before turning south-south-east at its western end. At the time of testing this was interpreted as being post-medieval in date. However, it would appear to possess an early medieval date and is the earliest of all the ditches at the site. The settlement in Area B respects the line of this ditch. One sherd of Souterrain ware was retrieved from the lower fills of the ditch, along with a small ferrous object, which may have formed part of a pin. A large amount of animal bone was retrieved from the ditch and the settlement area in Area B.
At the eastern end of the site, a large curving ditch was found to truncate and then follow the path of the earlier linear ditch. An additional curving ditch, located to the north of the earliest ditch, was also found to truncate the earlier linear feature. It seems likely that the ditches form part of an early medieval field system. They extended beyond the edge of the excavation area to the east. As they travelled east they became significantly more shallow in profile. Post-excavation analysis of the remains continues.
Structural remains and early medieval field system (Area B) at Kilbelin, facing east-north-east.

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